Invisible Folk Club Podcasts

Listen to the highlights of the Chesham Literary Festival poetry competition awards ceremony held at the Town Hall, Chesham on 12th July 2024. It was a great evening. Many thanks to the four judges - Emily Townsend, Valerie Jack, Ben Batten & Jon Bickley, with additional thanks to Mark Jackson-Hancock and Pemby.  Invisible Folk is proud of the brilliant volunteers, poetry competition winners, commended poets, families and friends who made our awards ceremony such a success. Keep an eye on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/invisiblefolkltd for future competitions and events.

7/29/24 • 62:57

Since Spring 2019 Invisible Folk are proud to have been the recipients of four Arts Council Grants. In this podcast Jon Bickley talks about our relationship with the Arts Council and how that has enabled us to commission new compositions, new performances and to inject some money into the folk music community. You'll also hear some great music; without Arts Council funding it would never have existed. For more information go to our Website https://invisiblefolk.com/

6/4/24 • 68:28

Singer/Songwriters Jim Causley and Miranda Sykes joined narrator John Palmer (director of the critically-acclaimed Vaughan Williams anniversary 'From Pub to Pulpit' Cathedral tour) to talk us through a new show entitled 'Ghosts, werewolves and countryfolk - the songs and stories of Sabine Baring-Gould'  Polymath and Victorian superstar Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924) was, amongst many other things, a best-selling novelist most notably for stories of ghosts, werewolves and Norse myths. Despite wide ranging interests he felt the most important part of his life was collecting songs from Devon and Cornwall, amassing more than 2000 songs. In the show Miranda, Jim and John interweave some of those songs with anecdotes from Baring-Gould's astonishing life and stories. Ticket info from https://www.mirandasykes.com/baring-gould-centenary/ Songs (in order of appearance): Jim Causley & Miranda Sykes - My Lady's Coach Jim Causley & Miranda Sykes - Cottage Well Thatched Jim Causley & Miranda Sykes - Last of the Singers All songs Trad/Arr Causley & Sykes Links to artist websites: https://www.mirandasykes.com/ https://www.jimcausley.co.uk/

5/13/24 • 57:28

Rhiannon Crutchley is an independent, alternative, acoustic musician who performs under the name Brewer's Daughter. For the last 10 years she has lived on a narrowboat travelling the inland waterways of the English east Midlands. She has worked the festival scene in the UK and Europe both solo and as fiddle player with Tarantism.  Released on 5th April 2024 ‘Made Undone’ is Rhiannon's third solo album and is by far her most advanced to date, not only in terms of songwriting, but in production values too. The collaboration with Hawkwind guitarist Magnus Martin has been particularly fruitful. For music and merch go to https://thebrewersdaughter.bandcamp.com/ For gigs and other information keep an eye on Facebook

4/2/24 • 63:45

This is the final podcast of our Grace will lead me home project, a partnership with the Cooper & Newton Museum (Olney) to mark the 250th anniversary of the writing of Amazing Grace. Our guest speaker is James Walvin, OBE Emeritus Professor of History at York University, his latest book is the cultural history of Amazing Grace. It is fascinating and comprehensive, not only of the creation of the beloved hymn, but its evolution from 1772 as it passes through a series of cultural ecosystems. For further info about the Grace will lead me home project go to this link

1/31/24 • 43:24

It's catch-up time. The Invisible Folk Club radio show is currently syndicated to eight community or local stations, six based in the UK with the other two mainland Europe. Jon Bickley presents the show, Steve Yarwood is Producer. Nothing in the broad church of trad folk, roots or Americana is off limits, there are so many shades. Our show features established artists, rising stars, quality new music, blasts from the past.  In the final part of our festive trilogy we reflect on the old year and ring in the new. For centuries, wassailing was a key part of year-end celebrations. 'Wassail' derives from the old Norse for 'good health' usually involving drinking and raucous singing. Bring us in good ale! https://invisiblefolk.com/ Jimmy Aldridge & Sid Goldsmith - Turning of the Year The Wilderness Yet - Turn The Year Round Virginia Kettle - Closing Down the Year Emily Portman - Hinge of the Year Janice Burns & Jon Doran - The Month of January Fairport Convention - Who Knows Where The Time Goes Bryony Griffith & Alice Jones - The Yorkshire Wassailing Song Eliza Carthy & Jon Boden - Ashen Bowl Johnny Flynn & Robert Macfarlane - The Sun also Rises Blur - The Wassailing Song Mediæval Bæbes - Gower Wassail Rachel Unthank & the Winterset - Tar Barrel in Dale The Watersons - Apple Tree Wassail Waterson : Carthy - Awake Awake Jim Ghedi & Toby Hay - Bright Edge Deep

1/5/24 • 60:01

It's catch-up time. The Invisible Folk Club radio show is currently syndicated to eight community or local stations, six based in the UK with the other two mainland Europe. Jon Bickley presents the show, Steve Yarwood is Producer. Nothing in the broad church of trad folk, roots or Americana is off limits, there are so many shades. Our show features established artists, rising stars, quality new music, blasts from the past.  It's Part 2 of our festive trilogy, so this is Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year, so they say. The music we have chosen reflects the many faces of Christmas, mostly smiling faces but not all. https://invisiblefolk.com/ Staple Singers - The Last Month of the Year Eliza Carthy & Jon Boden - Beautiful Star Jon Wilks - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Lisa Knapp - Cherry Tree Carol Paul Hutchinson - The Coventry Carol & Retreat from Kabul Burd Ellen - Sans Day Carol Angeline Morrison - Christmas is Now Drawing Near at Hand Anna Howie - Searching For Christmas Alan & Sue Garmonsway - Spiritus Sanctum Emma Scarr - Christmas in Paradise Bryony Griffith & Alice Jones - King Christmas Coope, Boyes & Simpson - How Beautiful Upon the Mountains Hattie Whitehead - In The Bleak Midwinter The Band - Christmas Must Be Tonight A Winter Union - White Christmas Somewhere Mediæval Bæbes - Carol of the Bells Mean Mary - Here We Come a-Caroling

12/23/23 • 60:10

It's catch-up time. The Invisible Folk Club radio show is currently syndicated to eight community or local stations, six based in the UK with the other two mainland Europe. Jon Bickley presents the show, Steve Yarwood is Producer. Nothing in the broad church of trad folk, roots or Americana is off limits, there are so many shades. Our show features established artists, rising stars, quality new music, blasts from the past.  It's Part 1 of our festive trilogy, Solstice and Winter themes create an atmosphere. The days are short and there's a chill in the air so wrap up well. Christmas is coming, the warm glow of the fire awaits. https://invisiblefolk.com/ The Wilderness Yet - Winterbound Bryony Griffith & Alice Jones - I Traced Her Little Footmarks in the Snow You Are Wolf - Winter Solstice Jim Chorley - But Then Came Snow Amy Hopwood - Winter Lights Burd Ellen - Cutty Wren Joglaresa - Cold, Haily, Windy Night Lunatraktors - Holly & Ivy Lady Maisery - Up In The Morning Early Pete Castle - Down in Yon Forest Pitmatics - Snow Falls The Magpie Arc - Jack Frost Burd Ellen - Please To See The King The Wilderness Yet - Drive The Cold Winter Away Lunatraktors - Remember the Poor

12/22/23 • 60:03

Everybody knows Louis de Bernières is a world famous novelist and poet, but we were intrigued to discover he had a lesser known talent as a singer and songwriter. His second solo album 'Delicate Lies' was due for release in October 2023 so we invited him to the Invisible Folk Club for a musical discussion. An interesting conversation ensued. Many thanks to musician David Edward Booth producer of 'Delicate Lies' for enabling this podcast to happen.  We have featured 3 songs from 'Delicate Lies': 1 Mancunian Rain 2 The Snow 3 There Must Be More Than This? Purchase 'Delicate Lies' via https://www.louisdebernieresofficial.com/music.html Louis also has a dedicated Facebook page for his music. Go to https://www.facebook.com/LouisdeBernieresMusic      

11/24/23 • 55:26

We were delighted when My Girl the River (Kris Wilkinson-Hughes & Joe Hughes) and Anna Howie agreed to make a joint return to the Invisible Folk Club. Both Kris and Anna are talented songwriters, the music and conversation ebbed and flowed for 2½ hours. It was a fabulous session.

9/12/23 • 66:26

We were delighted when My Girl the River (Kris Wilkinson-Hughes & Joe Hughes) and Anna Howie agreed to make a joint return to the Invisible Folk Club. Both Kris and Anna are talented songwriters, the music and conversation ebbed and flowed for 2½ hours. It was a fabulous session.

9/12/23 • 79:58

The Invisible Folk Club is creating podcasts to make aspects of the Chesham Literary Festival (CLF) available to an online audience. In this latest podcast we hear new work by two of the Festival's founders, poets Jon Bickley and Ben Batten. In a 5 week period during June & July 2023 they wrote 76 sonnets, quite an achievement. They read some of their poems and talk about the experience of writing to order. This is Part 1 of 2. Other CLF podcasts: An audio anthology of the commended poems from the Chesham Literary Festival's Poetry Competition read by the poets themselves  https://invisiblefolkclub.libsyn.com/chesham-literary-festival-poetry-competition-2023 A collection of three short stories read by Emily Townsend the author. https://invisiblefolkclub.libsyn.com/chesham-literary-festival-emily-townsend The entire Invisible Folk Club podcast collection can be accessed at: https://invisiblefolkclub.libsyn.com/ To find out more about the Chesham Literary Festival go to: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089879193197 To find out more about Invisible Folk go to https://invisiblefolk.com/ To find out more about Jon Bickley go to https://jonbickley.com/

8/16/23 • 47:27

The Invisible Folk Club is creating podcasts to make aspects of the Chesham Literary Festival (CLF) available to an online audience. In this latest podcast we hear new work by two of the Festival's founders, poets Jon Bickley and Ben Batten. In a 5 week period during June & July 2023 they wrote 76 sonnets, quite an achievement. They read some of their poems and talk about the experience of writing to order. This is Part 2 of 2. Other CLF podcasts: An audio anthology of the commended poems from the Chesham Literary Festival's Poetry Competition read by the poets themselves  https://invisiblefolkclub.libsyn.com/chesham-literary-festival-poetry-competition-2023 A collection of three short stories read by Emily Townsend the author. https://invisiblefolkclub.libsyn.com/chesham-literary-festival-emily-townsend The entire Invisible Folk Club podcast collection can be accessed at: https://invisiblefolkclub.libsyn.com/ To find out more about the Chesham Literary Festival go to: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089879193197 To find out more about Invisible Folk go to https://invisiblefolk.com/ To find out more about Jon Bickley go to https://jonbickley.com/

8/16/23 • 55:43

Emily Townsend had two of her poems commended in the Chesham Literary Festival Poetry Competition 2023 and she read them in our last CLF podcast. In this episode she reads three of her short stories. You can expect to see more of Emily at futures CLF events. invisiblefolk.com jonbickley.com Jon Bickley on Facebook Follow the festival's Facebook page to keep up to date with future events.

8/7/23 • 29:07

Jon Bickley hosts the first in a series of podcasts from the Chesham Literary Festival. In this edition Ben Batten – poet and cometition judge talks about the festival and reads some of his own poems. We then have poets reading their commended poems in the three categories – Under 11s, Chesham residents and the rest of the world. The podcast ends with Jon's conversation with the writer of the winning poem Valerie Jack. invisiblefolk.com jonbickley.com Jon Bickley on Facebook Follow the festival's Facebook page to keep up to date with future events.

7/24/23 • 67:50

For The Many Not The Few is a collaborative writing project founded by Colin Meek to which anyone can contribute. There are lyrics, stories, blogs, thoughts, poems, odes, prose, observations. The FTMNTF ethos is to encourage people to write and get published. All proceeds from sales goes to charity. To join the forum on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/748721565616842 To purchase FTMNTF volumes https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=for+the+many+not+the+few Information and published works by participants in this podcast: Janette Fenton has been published in For The Many Not The Few and Inherit the Earth online publishing. Her poetry book is entitled: Ripples and Waves of Life and is available on Amazon). Joe Walsh published in For The Many Not The Few. Four poetry collections; Joe A.k.a, Oblivion Disguised, Oppressive Love, Our Shoulders to the Wheel. All published by Inherit The Earth Publications. Annie Foy, THREADS, some short stories by Annie Foy available on Amazon. George Colkitto, fiction. Victorian Crime, Tartan Noir, children. All available on Amazon or from publishers. Poetry books The Year of the Loch, & Waitin tae Meet wie the Deil (both Diehard Press), Brantwood, That Place of Little Green Poems & Clyde, My River (both Cinnamon Press) Fin Hall: https://www.waterstones.com/author/fin-hall/5194174 https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/international-spoken-word-festival-heads-to-new-pitsligo-282629/  

6/21/23 • 67:48

Dan Raza is a renowned singer/songwriter based in London. One of a handful of live dates in April 2023 was at Sharnbrook Mill Theatre in north Bedfordshire. Invisible Folk Producer Steve Yarwood met up with Dan for a chat before the show. At the end of the interview Dan kindly played a couple of songs for us accompanied by Fabio Mancini, a musician friend from Italy, on violin (see photo). That evening the guys played an excellent gig in front of an enthusiastic audience. Songs in order of appearance on podcast: Dan Raza - Water Reflects (track from Dan's forthcoming album) Dan Raza & Fabio Mancini - Don't Go Stealing Your Love from Another Man's Door (Recorded by Steve Yarwood at Sharnbrook Mill Theatre) Dan Raza - Wasn't That Enough (track from Dan's forthcoming album) Dan Raza & Fabio Mancini - Dark Side of the Road (Recorded by Steve Yarwood at Sharnbrook Mill Theatre) All compositions, Dan Raza. http://www.danraza.com/ https://www.facebook.com/DanRazaMusic/

6/5/23 • 42:29

Invisible Folk Club are getting back to 'face to face' podcast sessions. It's just like the old days, sitting around chatting, drinking tea and playing songs. During the pandemic Jon Bickley convened an online Song Writing Circle with Alan Garmonsway, Stewart Murdoch & Dave Artus. The idea was to come up with a different songwriting topic each month. It was a very productive and therapeutic process.  With some sort of normality returning it seemed like a good opportunity to air the cream of the material created by these four veteran troubadours. A 'Best of...' compilation. The first 58 minutes are available free on our Podcast Channel with the remaining 32 minutes available exclusively to our Patreon subscribers. There's some great music and conversation. https://www.patreon.com/invisiblefolkclub

4/25/23 • 57:34

Sally-Anne has published extensively on the History of Art and at the time of interview was the Head Curator for the National Tuest. In this capacity she co-edited a report tracing where slave trade compensation money went and which of the estates, now managed by the trust, benefited. We also discussed the way in which the heritage industry tells the stories of the past and how that informs our view of the present. “Only by honestly and openly acknowledging and sharing those stories can we do justice to the true complexity of past, present and future, and the sometimes-uncomfortable role that Britain, and Britons, have played in global history since the sixteenth century or even earlier.”  In a time when opinions are presented as facts, properly researched and evidenced historical facts are all the more important. We bring them to you, here.

4/24/23 • 60:29

Erica Roffe is co-founder and Managing Editor of the Bedford Independent, a dynamic, informed and informative local news website.  The demise of print media and buying-up of local titles by syndicates has resulted in a collapse of local news services in Bedford. Coupled with the decline of its distinctive High Street the town is in danger of losing sight of its essential character.  For many years Erica's dynamic energy brought pop-up events to Bedford High Street utilising slack space. In 2018 she co-founded the Bedford Independent; like the town it represents it is democratic, independent and inclusive. It's like a digital village square.

4/15/23 • 49:24

Amanda Molcher is a trustee of the Cowper & Newton Museum (Olney, Bucks) and has led the museum's AG250 project. She has also been a key facilitator in Invisible Folk's Grace Will Lead Me Home project. Her knowledge of the museum's collection, history and contemporary relevance has inspired thousands of visitors through exhibitions and events. In this podcast Amanda reflects on Newton's life including his involvement in the slave trade and how a museum can convey those stories to a modern audience.

4/13/23 • 27:30

In March 2023 Jon Bickley met up with Angeline Morrison and Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne. They stayed togther in Dartmouth House in Olney, once owned by the Earl of Dartmouth, the man who gave John Newton his first clerical position, that of Curate in Charge at St.Peter and St.Paul's church (Olney).  Together Angeline, Cohen and Jon researched Newton's life, the history and meaning of Amazing Grace and the transatlantic slave trade, with tremendous support and guidance from the Cowper & Newton Museum.  We talked, sang and performed for the camera. Here is Jon's personal diary of that time.

4/12/23 • 25:45

On April 7th 2000 Nelson Mandela came to Bedford to rededicate the bust of his friend and mentor Trevor Huddleston who was born in Bedford in 1913. The visit lasted less than an hour but it made a lasting impression on everyone who was there. Invisible Folk tracked down some of those people and asked them for their memories, we collected them together to create this podcast. As well as talking to people who were on the streets of Bedford that day we also hear the story of how the visit actually came about. During research we located a YouTube film with 10 minutes of television hightlights sourced from both ITV (Anglia) and BBC (East of England). Can you spot your younger self? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKHG4F0rBfI  

4/7/23 • 35:23

Jon Bickley talks to community leader Pauline Stepney for an ongoing podcast series marking the 250th anniversary of the writing of Amazing Grace. Its author John Newton was a slave trader and later an abolitionist. We all know that Amazing Grace is universally loved but how do we view the slave trade today? We asked three people of Caribbean descent how it impacts on their lives even now. Pauline is an inspirational leader within the Caribbean community in Bedford. As the child of immigrants Pea has witnessed the evolution of community relations over many years. As a trustee of the Legacy of Windrush Descendants (LOWD) charity she is working to deliver educational, cultural, social, advocacy, commemorative and health events as a contribution to the diverse wealth of Bedford. This is done with a grace and humour that spreads a little love to everyone around.

3/14/23 • 38:54

Jon Bickley talks to arts and community leader Sharon de Leonardis for an ongoing podcast series marking the 250th anniversary of the writing of Amazing Grace. Its author John Newton was a slave trader and later an abolitionist. We all know that Amazing Grace is universally loved but how do we view the slave trade today? We ask three people of Caribbean descent how it impacts on their lives even now. Sharon is CEO of Spectacularts, a Bedford based arts and events organisation. Previously she established and led the 2step Dance Company and mentored several of her dancers to international careers. On 26th March 2023 she is hosting Bedford’s first memorial service honouring the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade on the International Day of Remembrance. 'This memorial event will honour and pay tribute to our ancestors whilst recognising the cycles of uprising and the necessary, continuous struggle for rights and equality. We look forward to growing and sharing this event annually.' Sharon's energy and enthusiasm elevates and inspires everyone around her. https://www.spectacularts.co.uk/

3/7/23 • 37:36

Jon Bickley talks to musician Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne for an ongoing podcast series marking the 250th anniversary of the writing of Amazing Grace. Its author John Newton was a slave trader and later an abolitionist. We all know that Amazing Grace is universally loved but how do we view the slave trade today? We ask three people of Caribbean descent how it impacts on their lives even now. Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne is one of England's foremost folk musicians. His melodeon playing, singing and storytelling have made him a popular performer and in-demand musician. His trio, Granny's Attic, perform sell out gigs everywhere they go. Cohen has also produced a learning resource Black Singers and Folk Ballads which is essential reading on this subject. https://www.efdss.org/learning/55-resources/learning-resources/10460-black-singers-and-folk-ballads

3/3/23 • 26:08

It's been 3 years since the Invisible Folk Club last convened in 'face to face' mode. We've all learned new skills since then, online recording certainly enabled us to carry on in the face of adversity. It was great to be back with David Gunawardana, an old friend of Invisible Folk, and to welcome a new face in Sue Graves. It was just like the old days, sitting around chatting, drinking tea and playing songs. Here on our Podcast Channel you can listen the first 40 minutes for free, but if you want hear the remaining 85 minutes you'll need to subscribe to our Patreon account via https://www.patreon.com/invisiblefolkclub 

3/2/23 • 40:16

'Grace Will Lead Me Home' is where Invisible Folk look at John Newton's life and work and what it means today. We create new arrangements of some of his Olney Hymns (including Amazing Grace), we learn about his life including his involvement in slavery and his later campaign to abolish the trade. We ask people what is the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade today and work with Angeline Morrison and Cohen Braithwaite Kilcoyne to make new music. In the first of an occasional series Jon Bickley shares his Project Diary. For more info: https://invisiblefolk.com/ https://www.patreon.com/invisiblefolkclub https://jonbickley.com/

2/11/23 • 49:36

Experimental Scottish folk duo Burd Ellen are Debbie Armour and Gayle Brogan. They have carved out a sonically adventurous niche informed by a deep love and respect for traditional song. Combining drones, electronica and distinctive vocals, their sound is hypnotic, stark and uneasy.  We talk to singer Debbie (on the left in the photo) about tarot, the power of unaccompanied singing and ancient Scottish traditional songs. We feature music from Burd Ellen's recently released and highly acclaimed album 'A Tarot Of The Green Wood' https://www.burdellen.com/ https://burdellen.bandcamp.com/

1/27/23 • 56:04

Avant-folk producer Fiona Soe Paing is a Scottish vocalist and sound artist. Combining multi-layered vocals with dark electronica, field recordings, archive material and traditional instruments, her music creates atmospheric and often unsettling songscapes. Sand, Silt, Flint (released November 2022) is Fiona's second solo album, a re-imagining of folk tales and traditional ballads from North East Scotland. Sense of place is an important factor. Fiona has made the innovative step of linking each song to a specific location creating a virtual ‘Ballad Map' where the album is presented as a series of sound-walks via the Echoes phone app. The audio is triggered by GPS, enabling audiences to experience the music in the environments which provided it's inspiration. Visit Fiona's website https://www.fionasoepaing.co.uk/ Purchase Sand, Silt, Flint from https://fionasoepaing.bandcamp.com/album/sand-silt-flint-3 Read a review in The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/dec/21/fiona-soe-paing-sand-silt-flint-review Investigate the Echoes interactive sound walks app https://echoes.xyz/ The following songs from Sand, Silt, Flint are featured in this podcast: 1 Bessie Bell 2 Bonny Udny 3 Forvie 4 Ballad of John Hosie For more information about Invisible Folk go to https://invisiblefolk.com/

1/26/23 • 55:03